MCWP 3-16.1 Artillery Operations.pdf - Marine Corps Community ...

Artillery Operations _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 4-7
reaction force mans normal working stations.
When signaled, they muster at a pre-designated
location (FDC, COC, etc.) and repel a threat
attack and/or reinforce the perimeter. The
reaction force counters the threat at a sufficient
distance outward to allow a buffer for the unit
perimeter to be fully manned or to gain time for
the unit to conduct a hasty or emergency
displacement. The reaction force should be
capable of employing in two teams and should
not pursue the threat if the attack is repelled. The
reaction force conducts day and night rehearsals
for responsiveness and familiarization with the
defensive area.
The local security platoon is organized and
employed by the local security chief under direct
control of the headquarters battery commander.
Responsibilities of the local security chief are to—
● Assist the headquarters battery commander in
controlling the operation of the security platoon
and the reaction force.
● Position security points both inside and outside
the COC.
● Ensure required signaling devices are installed
and operable and procedures are established
for their proper use.
● Conduct small unit patrols as required.
● Assign personnel to machine gun positions.
● Perform other duties as directed by the headquarters
battery commander.
● Construct defensive diagrams.
Coordinate with Adjacent Units
for Mutual Support
Coordination with all adjacent units greatly
enhances the defensive plan. By sharing information
and incorporating elements from other units
(patrols, air defense weapons, indirect fires, final
protective fires (FPFs), etc.), each unit involved
can take advantage of a defense which, as a
whole, is better than the part. Also, to prevent
fratricide, coordination is critical so that each unit
is aware of all friendly patrols operating nearby.
Execute Defensive Action
When an attack occurs, the commander or senior
man in position quickly assesses the situation and
determines a COA. He considers the strength of
the threat and its effect on the unit’s operational
capability. Depending on this analysis, the
commander determines one of the following
courses of action:
● The unit can repel and/or sustain the attack.
Actions are taken to counter the threat.
● The unit cannot repel and/or sustain the attack.
The unit executes a hasty displacement. The
unit notifies its higher headquarters and proceeds
to its alternate position. Preplanned fires/
smoke to assist disengagement are considered,
if required.
Active and Passive Defense Measures
Active defense measures consist of the use of all
organic and attached weapons with the aggressive
employment of all personnel to repel an attack.
Individual arms, automatic weapons, machine guns,
and antipersonnel/antitank mines will be employed.
Passive defense measures consist of measures
taken to conceal or disguise the COC by providing
protection for weapons, together with preparing
obstacles to slow the threat and establishing a
warning system to alert the unit. COC concealment
involves careful selection of a position that takes
advantage of the natural terrain. Camouflage of the
position consists of measures using materiel,
objects, and simulation devices. All tents, vehicles,
and other major equipment will be camouflaged.
Generators should be positioned to muffle sound.